See the mountain differently - with women.

New evoTrip with Sandy Ward, Julia Niles & Arc'teryx is filling up fast.

Sandy Ward (Kelkeláokik) is an athlete, a member of the Líl̓wat Nation, and co-founder of Indigenous Women Outdoors (IWO). Passionate about snowboarding, mountain biking, and climbing, she is also an Arc’teryx ambassador, and most recently, a backcountry snow guide in training. 

Growing up close to Whistler on the Líl̓wat Nation, snowboarding was something Sandy saw her non-Indigenous, and often male, friends doing and wanted to try. But when Ward looked around, she saw no one who looked like her. 

Most women, even if they are not Indigenous, can understand on some level what it’s like to feel like an outsider.

When Ward started splitboarding on her traditional land, she felt a greater connection to her people and place. She now has over 20 years of riding experience and helps run a backcountry mentorship program for IWO, working to create safe, inclusive spaces for others to recreate while furthering her own education in pursuit of becoming a guide.

The journey has not been easy. Thankfully, humans like Sandy are putting in the work so the next generation can feel more welcome, connected, and safe in their land and sports. 

Creating or reinforcing the connection with the land helps people understand where they are, who they are, and cultivates appreciation and respect for the reciprocal relationship we share with our planet. 

For Ward, “Our stories offer teachings about how to interact with the land, water, sky and all beings of the world. In our language we have a saying, ‘Pal7míntwal i ucwalmícwa múta7 ti tmicw,’ the land and people are one.”

Welcome to the Callaghan

Discover the the most inviting wilderness for women looking to build their backcountry skills and forge a deeper community connection.

The Callaghan and Journeyman Lodge sits at the convergence of three territories in Southern British Columbia. The Canadian Government has designated this area the Callaghan Conservancy. It is located within the traditional territories of the Squamish Nation and Líl̓wat Nation, known in their languages Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish People) and Lil̓wat7ul (Líl̓wat People). The Líl̓wat Nation was a partner in building many Olympic venues, which they now co-own through Whistler Sports Legacies.
 

You’ll be hard pressed to find a list of statistics about the number of women in ski guiding, but all it takes is a look around for the reality to become obvious: they are few and far between. Becoming a certified AMGA /IFMGA guide is a long, arduous, and expensive process, which makes it inherently inaccessible to most people. Add on the challenges of being a native woman in the industry, and it becomes clear why trips like this are important for both the guides and the participants. By elevating women in guiding, evo aims not only to help accelerate their careers, but show other women that careers in the guiding industry are within their reach. We learn from people who look like us, and they learn from you too.

Arc’teryx is proud to partner with evo and Arc’teryx ambassador Sandy Ward (Kelkeláokik) to provide gear and support. Headquartered in British Columbia, they are committed to preserving the land they inhabit and uplifting female and Indigenous voices in the outdoor community.